PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Timbers midfielder Diego Chara has been named to the 2020 MLS Best XI presented by The Home Depot, it was announced today, with MLS recognizing the top players at each position as determined by media, MLS players and MLS club technical staff.
Chara, 34, made 20 regular-season appearances (20 starts) for the Timbers in 2020, leading the team in minutes played (1,800), while adding one goal and a career-high six assists. The recognition marks the first time Chara has been selected to the MLS Best XI team in his 10 seasons with the Timbers. Chara led all MLS players in recoveries (174) this season, while he was one of three players in MLS in 2020 to have multiple games (2) with two or more assists.
The Cali, Colombia, native is the club’s all-time leader in games played (282), games started (279) and minutes played (24,755) in MLS regular-season action. Chara’s 282 games played are the most by any player that was selected to the Best XI for the first time. Since making his debut with the Timbers on April 23, 2011, Chara ranks first amongst all MLS players in games started (279), minutes played (24,755), tackles won (735) and fouls conceded (683) in league play.
- INFOGRAPHIC:Chara's 2020 Best XI season by the numbers
Across all competitions for the Timbers in 2020, Chara has played in 24 games (24 starts), logging 2,160 minutes played, one goal and six assists. Notably, Chara has tallied 11 goals and 28 assists in 317 matches (314 starts) across all competitions in his career for the Timbers.
In addition to being named to this year’s Best XI, Chara was one of four Timbers players to be named to the MLS is Back Tournament Best XI after helping Portland claim the MLS is Back Tournament title with a 2-1 win over Orlando City SC on Aug. 11.
2020 MLS Best XI presented by The Home Depot
Goalkeeper: Andre Blake (Philadelphia Union)
Defenders: Mark McKenzie (Philadelphia Union), Jonathan Mensah (Columbus Crew SC), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC)
Midfielders: Brendan Aaronson (Philadelphia Union), Diego Chara (Portland Timbers), Nicolás Lodeiro (Seattle Sounders FC), Alejandro Pozuelo (Toronto FC)
Forwards: Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC), Diego Rossi (Los Angeles Football Club), Raúl RuidÃaz (Seattle Sounders FC)
